Word counter for typewriting machines



g OCt. I

O W. S. LYTLE WORD COUNTER FOR TYPEWRITING MACHINES Filed Feb. 24 1923 M @fa My QWW Patented Oct. 21, 1924.

UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER SQLYTIIE, OI PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSTGNOB TO THE VEEDEB MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

WORD COUNTER FOR TYPEWBITING IACEINES.

Application filed February 24, 1828. Serial No. 820,867.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER S. LYTLE, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania,

haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Word Counters for Typewriting Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

' The object of this invention is to provide suitable means for the operation of counting nachines in connection with typewriting machines, particularly as the same are used by 16 telegraphers in transcribing messages on typewriting machines as is now a common practice. For counting the number of successive written words, as they are transcribed on a typewriting machine, the count- 20 ing machine can be operated by the space bar of the typewriting machine, since the space bar is operated at the conclusion of each word. The words and abbreviations of the address of a telegram and of the signature,

25. however, are not counted as parts of the message, to be paid for, and the operatm'g devicesof the counting machine should therefore be disconnected from, the space bar dur- Y ing the writing of the address and of the signature. Furthermore, in determining the number of words in a telegram, each figure of a number is counted as a word and as the s ace bar is not operated between successive gures of a number, the operating mechanism of the counting machine must be capable of bein operated independently of the space bar. 11 accordance with the present invention, therefore, the operating mechanism for the counting machine adapted for 40 use in connection with a typewriting machine, is so designed that it will meet the several requirements of use which have just been described, namely, that it shall be operated normally b the space bar that it as shall be capable o disconnection rem the space bar, and that it shall be capable of being o erated independently of the space bar. e invention will be more fully explained hereinafter with reference to the so accompan. ing drawing in. which it is illustrated an in which- Figure-l is a view in side elevation, showing a counting machine and the associated parts, portions of the frame of a typewritmg machine and space bar being indicated by broken lines.

Figure 2 is a view of the same as seen from the right hand in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view of the same as seen from above.

Figure 4 is a detail showing the relation of the connecting rod and the shift lever as seen from below in Figure 1.

The counting machine, indicated at a, may be of anytsuitable construction. It is shown as havin at one end an operatin shaft 6, which is provided with the usua finger lever c, and at the other end a resetting shaft d, also provided with the usual finger lever e. The operating lever 0 is shown as provided with a returning spring 0' and is adapted to be actuated by pressure of the operators finger in the usual manner, a single depression serving to advance the 'units wheel of the counting machine one space. The finger lever will be used by the operator when conditions require, as, for example, for counting the successive figures of a number. a

For counting the successive written words of a message the counting machine may be operated by the movements of the space bar of the typewriting machine, such space bar being indicated at f, the operator being thereby relieved of the .necessity of appl ing the finger to the finger lever 0. For t is purpose there is provided a shiftable link g which furnishes a possible connection between the finger lever c and the s ace 'bar 7, permits movement of the finger ever independently of the space bar, and can be shifted into or out of operative relation with the finger lever as conditions require.

. The link or connection g is shown as hooked at its lower end for engagement by the space bar f" and as provided at its 11 per end with a pr ectin finger g whic may stand directly abd ve the finger lever (for may be moved out of operative relation thereto. The is shown as held normally in. elevated position by a spring k which may bear at its upper end against the finger g and may rest at its lower end on a shift lever i through which the link 9 passes, as shown in Figure 4. Theshift lever may be conveniently pivoted on a bracket i secured to the frame of the numbering machine a.

The numbering machine can be secured to the typewriting machine by any convenient means. In the construction shown the numbering machine is secured to an L-shaped bracket is, one member lc of which is arranged to bear upon a portion of the 1 frame of the typewriting machine and to be held thereto by a bolt 70 provided with a flange k and a wing nut is, the bolt k also having a winged head 76 for convenience in manipulation.

With the parts in the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2 and in full lines in Figure 3' the finger g of the link g stands clear of I the finger lever 0 so that the counting machine will be actuated only by the application of the operators finger to the finger lever 0, being unaffected by movements of the space bar f. This relation of parts obtains when, for example, the operator desires to register on the counting machine the suc- 5 cessive figures of a number, each of which counts as one word. When it is desired to register the number of written words in a message, the operator, by movement of the shift lever 71, swings the link 9 to the left hand in Figures-2 and 3 so that the finger 9 thereof overlies the finger lever 0. In

this relation of the parts every movement of the space bar will actuate the number machine. While the parts occupy this relation,

it is possible for the operator to actuate the finger lever a for the purpose of counting the successive fingers of a number, without producing movement of the link 9 which has only a one-way connection with the finger lever and is supported independently, thereof by the spring 72.. 7

It will be understood that various changes in details of construction and arran ement' can be made to suit different conditions of use and that, except as pointed out in the accompanying claims, the invention is not limited to the particular construction shown and described herein.

I claim as my invention:

1. A word counting mechanism for typewriting machines, comprising a counting machine, an operating lever therefor, and a link for operative connection of the operatmg lever with a moving 1part of the typewrit-ing machine, thelin aving a one-way connection with the operating lever, whereby movement of the link efl'ects movement of the lever and the lever can be operated independently of the link.-

2. A word counting mechanism for typewriting machines, comprising a counting machine, an operating lever therefor, and a link for operative connection of the operating lever with a movin part of the typewriting machine, the lin having a finger to overlie the operating lever and a spring to support the lever normally in inoperative relation. I

3. A word counting mechanism for type- Writing machines, comprising a counting machine, an operating lever therefor, a shiftable link for operative connection of the operating lever with a moving part of the typewriting machine, and a shifting lever engaging the linkto shift the same into and out of operative relation with the operating lever.

4. A Word counting mechanism for typewriting machines, comprising a counting machine, an operating lever therefor, a shiftable link for operative connection of the operating lever with a moving part of the typewritmg machine, and a spring resting on the lever and supporting the link normally in inoperative relation with the operating lever.

This specification signed this 21st day of February, A. D. 1923. a

WALTER S. LYTLE. 

